Rapeseed market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish rapeseed market contracted in 2019, with volume falling to 155 thousand tons. This decline occurred despite a trend of expanding cultivation area driven by improved genetics and profitability, as a chronic shortage of agricultural labor limited production efficiency. A sharp recovery followed in 2020, with the market growing by nearly 29% to 199.7 thousand tons. This turnaround was fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted European consumer preferences toward healthier food products, increasing demand for rapeseed.

Market growth accelerated from 2021 to 2022, reaching 239.2 thousand tons. A prolonged global supply shortage and soaring demand from the biodiesel sector caused rapeseed oil prices to jump by 65% in 2021. Export disruptions from Russia and Ukraine further tightened world supply, creating an opportunity for Spain as an alternative supplier. These high prices and supportive international biofuel policies continued into 2022, incentivizing farmers to increase planted area, particularly in regions like Castile and León, which bolstered domestic output and market volume.

In 2023, the market volume eased slightly to 228.8 thousand tons. A significant drop in domestic production was offset by higher imports and lower exports. Global market volatility, influenced by adverse weather conditions in major producers like Canada and Europe, alongside fluctuations in vegetable oil prices, affected supply chains. For 2024, key factors include a forecasted production deficit, a slowdown in seed processing, and Spain's continued dependence on imports from France, all set against a backdrop of macroeconomic influences like inflation and interest rates.

Production rapeseed in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 27th largest producer of rapeseed in the world.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 196.1 thousand tons of rapeseed, marking a 35.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 144.8 thousand tons, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of rapeseed output in Spain reached 115.7 million US dollars, up 27.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 9.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 90.7 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 156.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 41.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports rapeseed from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Rapeseed exports from Spain have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 81 398 tons of rapeseed, representing a 26.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 116.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the leading destination for Spain's rapeseed exports in volume terms, accounting for 74.8% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed across various other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of rapeseed exports from Spain totaled 48 024 thousand US dollars, an 18.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 54%, with an annualized rate of 15.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 11.4%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 46.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Spain's rapeseed exports in value terms were highly concentrated, with France and Portugal together accounting for 85.3% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports rapeseed to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Rapeseed imports into Spain have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 85 018 tons, showing a robust 13.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 99.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Romania, and Germany were the primary sources of rapeseed imports into Spain in volume terms. France accounted for 56.8% of imports, Romania for 15.8%, and Germany for 14.9%, together making up 87.5% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Rapeseed imports into Spain have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 30 785 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight 2.1% uptick from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 60.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017-2020, France, Romania, and Germany were the main suppliers of rapeseed to Spain in value terms. France contributed 60.2% of imports, Romania 13.7%, and Germany 13.2%, collectively comprising 87.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020